Listen first, act better: why listening matters in schools

Who Gets to Belong in Schools? With Hannah Wilson

Host Liz Worthen speaks with leadership development and DEIB champion Hannah Wilson about the ‘B' in DEIB: belonging. What do we really mean when we talk about belonging? Are we ready to ask the curious and tough questions about who feels a sense of belonging, who doesn’t, and why? We talk about: * Belonging as an outcome of committing to diversity, equity and inclusion (D+E+I=B). * Starting with the adults – do all our staff feel like they belong? * Why you can’t talk about belonging without talking about race. * Digging into the data and asking the difficult questions. * Ofsted – is inclusion something you can measure? * The positive power of grass roots organisations. ‘There’s often an assumption that people have a greater sense of safety, inclusion and belonging than they actually do. And when you begin to scratch the surface and dig into it, it can be quite confronting.’ Hannah Wilson is a leadership development consultant, DEIB strategist and facilitator, a coach and trainer. She’s director of Belonging Effect and co-founder of #DiverseEd and #WomenEd. Hannah’s latest book is A Little Guide for Teachers: Cultivating Belonging in Schools. Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. * Check out recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools [https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools] * Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/ [https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/] * Belonging Effect (formerly Diverse Educators): https://www.thebelongingeffect.co.uk/ [https://www.thebelongingeffect.co.uk/] * Mission 44 Diversity in Teaching project: https://mission44.org/diversity-in-education-fund/ [https://mission44.org/diversity-in-education-fund/] * WomenEd: Women Leaders in Education https://womened.com/ [https://womened.com/] * BAMEed: Black, Asian and minority ethnic educators https://www.bameednetwork.com/ [https://www.bameednetwork.com/] * More on implementing DEIB strategies in school: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/listening-to-the-community-diversity-and-inclusion-strategies-for-lasting-impact/ [https://createvalueschools.com/blog/listening-to-the-community-diversity-and-inclusion-strategies-for-lasting-impact/] * More on the impact of protected characteristics on staff mental health: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/avoiding-and-addressing-staff-burnout/ [https://createvalueschools.com/blog/avoiding-and-addressing-staff-burnout/] 00:00 Welcome and guest 00:41 Why write a book about belonging 01:55 What does belonging mean? 04:26 Consent and curiosity 05:40 Start with the adults 08.52 Three C’s: consciousness, confidence, competence 09:45 Support staff matter 13:12 Parents, power and fear 16:00 We need to talk about race 20:04 Ofsted and inclusion 23:05 Digging into the data 25:49 Intersectionality explained 28:23 Hopeful signs and resources 31:07 Reading picks and wrap   #Schools #DEIB #Inclusion #Belonging

Win-Win: Fundraising relationships for lasting impact

How does community engagement unlock additional funding for schools? In this roundtable episode four sector leaders share lessons learned: Justin Smith, Vicki Newsome, Matthew Smith MBE and Richard Manville.  Listen for practical insights into: * The benefits of community engagement * Why income generators need flexibility and resilience * Getting your support and evidence clear from the start * Putting together beneficiary-shaped projects * The importance of donor motivation and internal buy-in * Stakeholder and skill mapping * Small quick wins to get started and the power of regular donations * Using AI as a time-saving tool (NOT to write your bids) * The vital role of thank you. “I just remember what it will do to those children and to those families to support them. If it can keep children and families together then we've more than exceeded.” “Canva is my friend in school. It’s my lifeline!” With 20 years’ experience in the education sector, Justin Smith provides specialist marketing, income generation and bid writing services through his company, Chameleon Consultancy and Training. He has secured over £7 million in additional income for schools. Vicki Newsome is School Business Manager at Burscough Village Primary School and Nursery in Lancashire. Vicki has generated over £300,000 additional income over the last two years, for a new nursery building and community sports zone, as well as securing funding for a counsellor to work across the local schools.  A seasoned fundraiser and community champion, Matthew Smith MBE is School Business Manager at Sheringham Woodfields School in Norfolk, for pupils with complex learning and health needs. The school’s specialised therapy centre is one of his most recent fundraising achievements. Richard Manville is Co-founder and Managing Director of Community Inspired, a social enterprise dedicated to communities, fundraising and volunteering. Through FundEd Richard helps schools access grants, run successful events, build recurring income and develop partnerships. Host Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. Links and resources * Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/ [https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/] * Download 10 fundraising tips: https://createvalueschools.com/media/112-How-to-get-people-on-board-with-fundraising.pdf [https://createvalueschools.com/media/112-How-to-get-people-on-board-with-fundraising.pdf] * Matthew Smith’s decision-making evidence and support grid: https://createvalueschools.com/media/233-Evidence-and-support-decision-making-grid.pdf [https://createvalueschools.com/media/233-Evidence-and-support-decision-making-grid.pdf] * Support and resources from Justin Smith: https://chameleon-training.co.uk/ [https://chameleon-training.co.uk/] * FundEd and PTA+ websites: https://www.funded.org.uk/ [https://www.funded.org.uk/] and https://www.pta.co.uk/ [https://www.pta.co.uk/] * Funding Wall, a digital fundraising platform: https://www.fundingwall.org.uk/ [https://www.fundingwall.org.uk/] * Example press release for the Community Unity Through Sports Project: https://burscough.lancsngfl.ac.uk/news/2025-10-13-burscough-village-primary-school-unveils-community-unity-through-sports-initiative [https://burscough.lancsngfl.ac.uk/news/2025-10-13-burscough-village-primary-school-unveils-community-unity-through-sports-initiative] * Example of a video created using Canva to launch Phase 1 of the project: https://www.facebook.com/reel/4129028770716385?locale=en_GB [https://www.facebook.com/reel/4129028770716385?locale=en_GB] * About Sheringham Woodfields Therapeutic Centre: https://hudsonarchitects.co.uk/our-work/community-culture-education/schools/sheringham-woodfields-school/ [https://hudsonarchitects.co.uk/our-work/community-culture-education/schools/sheringham-woodfields-school/] * About Woodfields Den Charity Shop: https://experiencesheringham.com/places/woodfields-den-charity-shop/ [https://experiencesheringham.com/places/woodfields-den-charity-shop/] * Host your own colour run: https://www.eventcolour.co.uk/ [https://www.eventcolour.co.uk/] * ISBL Professional Standards: https://www.isbl.org.uk/isbl-professional-standards [https://www.isbl.org.uk/isbl-professional-standards] * More from Justin: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/optimism-and-opportunity-creating-an-income-generation-culture/ [https://createvalueschools.com/blog/optimism-and-opportunity-creating-an-income-generation-culture/] * Who’s responsible for income generation in school? https://createvalueschools.com/blog/beyond-the-budget-why-income-generation-is-everyones-responsibility/ [https://createvalueschools.com/blog/beyond-the-budget-why-income-generation-is-everyones-responsibility/] Chapters 00:00 Welcome and guests 01:28 Why community fundraising 06:55 Stakeholder mapping 08:23 Project pivot for community focus 12:15 Beneficiary-shaped projects for grant success 13.33 Prioritise for support and evidence 14:14 Practical engagement tactics 16.54 Linking up your team 18:39 Donor motivation and thanks 22.02 Put yourself out there and ask 25:35 Time and culture barriers 32:14 Mission driven impact story 35:23 Rapid fire top tips 40:50 Wrap up and resources #SustainableSchools #IncomeGeneration #SchoolBusinessLeadership #SchoolFundraising

Why playtime matters – and how to make it work

Playtimes in schools are under pressure. Children are playing 50% less than a generation ago, behaviour is getting harder to manage, and playtime is getting squeezed out. In this episode, Liz Worthen talks to Positive Playtime champion Thérèse Hoyle – coach, author and founder of the Positive Playtime Award Programme – about why play is so vital for children's wellbeing, learning and resilience, and how schools can make it work in practice. We address common barriers to play in schools, including: * How to navigate concerns about risky play, bring parents on board, and build a culture where children learn to assess risk themselves * How to upskill and deploy lunchtime supervisors more effectively * How to make equipment last longer and keep children more engaged * How to make creative use of limited playground space with a zoning approach. Struggling with playground behaviour, staff deployment at lunchtime, or getting the most from a limited budget? Listen for straightforward, actionable ideas. Thérèse Hoyle is Director and Founder of Positive Playtimes [https://positive-playtimes.com/] and the Positive Playtime Award programme. An experienced coach and teacher, she regularly consults and advises schools on play, behaviour management, mental health, and the social and emotional needs of children and teens. Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. * Check out recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools [https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools] * Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/ [https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/] * Thérèse’s books: https://positive-playtimes.com/product-category/books/ [https://positive-playtimes.com/product-category/books/] * Read about why play matters: https://positive-playtimes.com/why-play-matters-the-hidden-cost-of-screens-and-a-play-poor-childhood/ [https://positive-playtimes.com/why-play-matters-the-hidden-cost-of-screens-and-a-play-poor-childhood/] * Staff deployment examples: https://positive-playtimes.com/are-you-using-your-staffing-effectively-in-your-playground/ [https://positive-playtimes.com/are-you-using-your-staffing-effectively-in-your-playground/] * Access the why play matters report: https://positive-playtimes.com/why-play-matters/ [https://positive-playtimes.com/why-play-matters/] * Download the Raising the Nation Play Commission report: https://www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/play-commission [https://www.centreforyounglives.org.uk/play-commission] * Mental Health Foundation statistics: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/children-young-people-statistics [https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/explore-mental-health/statistics/children-young-people-statistics] * Information from Play England: https://www.playengland.org.uk/ [https://www.playengland.org.uk/] * Access 10 playground games: https://positive-playtimes.com/free-playground-games/ [https://positive-playtimes.com/free-playground-games/]   00:00 Welcome and guest 00:57 Playtime crisis today 02:35 Why play gets squeezed 04:31 Screens and equity 07:28 When play works 09:58 Mud sticks and rules 12:20 Risky play fears 16:29 Staffing and training 23:16 Equipment craze cycle 28:26 Zoning concrete playgrounds 33:58 Books and final thoughts #education #sustainableschools #childhood

Listen first, act better: why listening matters in schools

In this episode, Liz Worthen explores what happens when we listen first – and how it can actually save time and lead to better outcomes in schools. Aldaine Wynter, Director of International Mindedness, Diversity and Inclusion at Washington International School, reflects on spending his first year listening – meeting parents, staff and community groups before launching major initiatives, so he could “meet the community where they are.” Sean Harris from Tees Valley Education shares how social listening transformed a glossy school newsletter into a termly community magazine, co-produced with families, children and local partners. Leadership mentor Nickii Messer explores what it means to listen to understand in honest conversations – allowing space, avoiding assumptions, and using more collaborative language. Wendy Litherland describes how asking a homeless charity what was really needed led pupils to create support for dogs as well as people – deepening empathy and impact. Together, these examples show how listening first can build trust, strengthen collaboration, and lead to better outcomes in schools. Liz Worthen is an educator, researcher, podcaster and writer. Her career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development, creating resources which enable leaders to flourish in their roles. Creating Value in Schools is about the exploration of sustainable working in education, to secure better outcomes for learners and communities. * Download top tips for an honest conversation: https://createvalueschools.com/media/79-Honest-conversation-checklist-guide.pdf [https://createvalueschools.com/media/79-Honest-conversation-checklist-guide.pdf] * More from Sean Harris on social listening in practice: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/social-listening-in-practice-books-beds-and-curious-myth-busting/ [https://createvalueschools.com/blog/social-listening-in-practice-books-beds-and-curious-myth-busting/] * Fishbone analysis and five whys strategy: https://www.sec-ed.co.uk/content/best-practice/school-leadership-how-to-respond-to-and-solve-problems [https://www.sec-ed.co.uk/content/best-practice/school-leadership-how-to-respond-to-and-solve-problems]  * Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/ [https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/] Podcasts featured in this episode * Listening to the community: diversity and inclusion strategies for lasting impact, with Aldaine Wynter * Know your place: how to tackle inequality in education, with Sean Harris * Call them honest: conversations to empower, understand and resolve, with Nickii Messer * From prom shop to polytunnel: sustaining eco-activity in school, with Wendy Litherland 00:00 Why listening matters 00:45 Aldaine listening tour 01:40 Drop In Sessions 03:13 Sean social listening 03:48 Newsletter feedback 06:12 Trust and coproduction 07:06 Nickii honest conversations 10:10 Assumptions and truth 10:53 Wendy unexpected needs 11:55 Dog bags breakthrough 12:45 Key takeaways and wrap #education #sustainableschools #leadership

Getting curious about behaviour: a relational approach

Host Liz Worthen talks with Dee Higgins, therapeutic thinking lead and former PRU senior leader, about reducing stress for staff in schools and improving pupil behaviour through relational, restorative and reflective practice. Listen for: * What a relational approach means (and why it’s not a soft option) * Calmness, consistency and connection before correction * Lunchtime equity and the importance of play * The case for earlier intervention and ways to create hope * Why transitions need more focus * Tips for productive multi-agency working * Recommended reads. ‘It doesn't mean that a relational approach is a soft option. It just means that we consider the behaviour curriculum and the positive responses that you can have with children to get them to think around their behaviour. And I firmly believe it extends beyond the classroom.’ After years of experience as a teacher and senior leader in an alternative provision setting, Dee Higgins is now Therapeutic Thinking Lead for a local authority. She also holds MAs in psychotherapy and in education leadership.  Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities. * Check out Dee’s recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools [https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools] * What is OPAL? https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/ [https://outdoorplayandlearning.org.uk/] * Why play matters: https://theresehoyle.com/why-play-matters-the-hidden-cost-of-screens-and-a-play-poor-childhood/ [https://theresehoyle.com/why-play-matters-the-hidden-cost-of-screens-and-a-play-poor-childhood/] * Research from The Engagement Platform: https://www.tep.uk/research-and-resources/mind-the-engagement-gap-a-national-study-of-pupil-engagement-in-englands-schools [https://www.tep.uk/research-and-resources/mind-the-engagement-gap-a-national-study-of-pupil-engagement-in-englands-schools] * Find out about the Rights Respecting Schools Award: https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/ [https://www.unicef.org.uk/rights-respecting-schools/] * How to create a positive behaviour culture: https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/how-do-we-create-a-positive-behaviour-culture/ [https://createvalueschools.com/need-to-know/how-do-we-create-a-positive-behaviour-culture/] * Join the Creating Value in Schools community: https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/ [https://createvalueschools.com/subscribe/] 00:00 Welcome and focus 00:48 Therapeutic thinking role 02:50 Regulation over punishment 03:54 Connection before correction 06:19 What relational means 08:15 Beyond the classroom 11:37 Parents and co-production 12:53 Debating compliance 14:16 PRU lessons and early help 19:00 Transitions and belonging 21:47 Inclusion and value 23:03 Multi-agency collaboration 25:46 Recommended reading 28:12 Closing thanks   #behaviour #education #sustainableschools